Premier Doug Ford’s administration has been granted the authority by the Court of Appeal for Ontario to eliminate 19 kilometers of protected bike lanes in Toronto. This decision, released on Friday, overturns a previous ruling made in July 2025. The legislation allowing the removal of bike lanes along Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue was initially enacted in 2024 at Queen’s Park. Despite legal challenges from Cycle Toronto and other advocacy groups, the bike lane infrastructure remained intact on Toronto streets.
In the 2025 ruling, Ontario Superior Court Justice Paul Schabas deemed the removal unconstitutional, citing increased risks to individuals’ safety and security. However, a panel of three Appeal Court judges asserted on Friday that there is no constitutional obligation to dictate road usage. The Ford government’s stance has consistently been that removing bike lanes would alleviate traffic congestion in the Greater Toronto Area.
The Appeal Court judges emphasized that the removal of bike lanes does not violate the Charter, stating that the legislative body has the freedom to legislate changes to roads. They contended that the risks highlighted in Schabas’s ruling were exaggerated, suggesting that injuries and deaths would only occur if cyclists opt to ride on roads lacking bike lanes.
Ontario’s transportation minister, Prabmeet Sarkaria, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, emphasizing the importance of upholding the roles of elected bodies and the judiciary. The Ministry of Transportation has yet to announce when the process of removing bike lanes will commence. Premier Ford welcomed the court’s ruling as a victory for common sense, prompting criticism from provincial Liberals accusing him of aspiring to control Toronto’s planning decisions.
Michael Longfield, executive director of Cycle Toronto, criticized the ruling as regressive, highlighting the importance of evidence-based decision-making. He reiterated that bike lanes do not cause traffic congestion and warned that their removal could endanger lives. The judges in Friday’s decision defended the government’s right to enact policies, even if expert advice suggests their ineffectiveness.
Internal ministry documents unveiled during the legal challenge revealed concerns about the removal’s impact on congestion and road safety. The Appeal Court, however, ruled that the government is not obliged to adhere to expert recommendations. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow’s office emphasized the city’s collaboration with the province to balance road usage safety for all users.
Mayoral candidate Brad Bradford welcomed the ruling, advocating for municipal autonomy in street planning decisions. He urged the province to empower the municipality in determining bike lane placements. Chow and Bradford have differing views on the court’s decision, with Bradford urging the city to embrace the ruling and collaborate with the Ontario government on the next steps.